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C. P. ELIESON.

CLOCK. l APPLIOATION FILED FEB. 10, 1912.

Patented Apr. 1, 1913.

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CLOCK.

APPLIGATION FILED PEB. 10, 19124 pglwntor 7h 'my AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA c,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHAIMSONOVITZ PROSPER ELIESON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CLOCK.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1,1913.

Application filed February 10, 1912. Serial No. 676,781.

that is to say clocks having an additionaly 'weight added thereto and in which the gravitational force of the entire clock and additional weight supply the driving force for operating the clock.

In my prior application, I have shown and described a clock in which the guiding of the clock and additional weight is effected independently of the driving pinion and rack. This is for the purpose of avoiding any oblique force on the driving pinion which would tend to cause jamming and consequent stoppage of the clock.

The object of the present invention is further to improve the construction of the clock so as to avoid torsional or jamming forces betweemthe pinion and the rack or the retaining members and the guide for the clock and additional weight; and also to provide automatic means, self-contained "within the clock, for starting the balance wheel when the clock is raised.

According to the present invention, the additional weight is so arranged and disposed, that, or means are provided whereby, the center of gravity' of the additional weight and clock is in substantially the same vertical plane as the driving pinion for the clock-wfork mechanism and the iiXed vertical rack, and preferably at a point on a vertical line passing through the point of contact between said driving pinion and the vertical rack. This result may be obtained either by means of adjustable weights or by suitable formation of the auxiliary weight. Means are also provided, operable by the driving pinion, for imparting an impulse to the balance wheel when the clock is raised.

The invention is shown by wayv of eX- ample in the accompanying drawings in which the arrangement of. weights shown is such that the centerof gravity is brought into the same vertical plane as the rack and driving pinion.

Figure l, is a rear view of a clock partly broken away in order to show the internal mechanism. Fig. 2, is a sectional elevation on the line 2-2 Fig. 1, as seen in the direction of the arrow 3. Fig. 3, is a rear view of a modified form of clock partly broken away to show the rack and pinion. Figs. 4 to 8, are detail views of the starting mechanism.

In carrying the invention into effect according to the form shown in the drawing, the auxiliary weight is arranged about the clockwork mechanism and is made up for convenience in three parts a, b, c. The part a, is of metal, such as lead, wrapped around the clock casing d. The part is an ornamental ring ot" marble or other desired material. The part c, is of metal such as lead and may be covered by a thin metal cap 7L. The clockwork mechanism in the casing CZ, is disposed in front of the fixed vertical rack e, and the bulk of the addii tional weight represented by the part c, is arranged to the rear of the vertical rack e, so that the center of gravity of the clockwork mechanism and additional weight is in the same plane as the vertical rack.

011e or more studs may be screwed into the` rear of the clock or additional weight, and on these studs further weights may be adjusted so as to bring the center of gravity of the clock and additional weight more 'accurately into the same plane as the driving rack and pinion, or by increasing thel weight on one ot the studs to bring the center of gravity into a vert-ical line passing through, or to a point corresponding with, the point of contact between 'the rack c, and pinion It will, however, be understood, that the center of gravity could be brought into a vertical line passing through the point of contact between the rack and pinion, or made to correspond with the exact point of contact by providing the auxiliary weight heavier in one part than another or in any other suitable manner.

By the arrangement of the weights in such manner as to bring the center of gravity into the plane of the fixed vertical rack, and the driving pinion, the friction on the guiding and retaining parts is greatly reduced, and in the case where the center of gravity of the clock and additional weight exactly corresponds with the point of contact between the driving pinion and the rack, or is on a vertical line,passing tln'ough this point, the friction between the retain ing and guiding members is reduced to a minimum.

The invention may, of course, be carried out in many other ways, the essential features being in all cases that the center of gravity of the clock and additional weightis in the same plane as the stationary rack and driving` pinion and preferably at a point on a vertical line passing through the point of contact between the driving pinion and the vertical rack.

In order to insure that the balance wheel of the clock shall not cease to oscillate while the clock is being raised, automatic starting means operable by the pinion are used, for instance, a pin t, Figs. l and 2, on the pinion f, is adapted to engage with a lever 7c, mounted on a spindle Z, and carrying a spring linger m, which extends into close relation to the balance wheel a. If the clock is raised, the pinion rotates in the direction of the arrow 4, and the pin z', strikes the end of the lever fr, and oscillating the same causes the spring linger m, to lightly touch the balance wheel n, and thereby to impart an impulse to it. Vhen the clock descends the pinion f, rotates in the opposite direction and when the pin z', then strikes the lever le, it merely moves in a direction to move the spring linger m, away from the balance wheel. A heel 0, on the lever bears against a spring 2?, which returns the lever 71:, to its normal position. A spring plate Q, which is secured to the main plate r, of the clock'bears at its free end on the lever 7c, and holds it in position against the plate r.

In the form of starting device shown in Figs. 3 to 7, suitable for a clock having a horizontal balance wheel n, a spring cam s, is mounted on the pinion f. Then the clock is raised in relation to the rack e, the pinion f, rotates in the direction of the arrow 5, and the beveled end f', of the cam s, passes behind the end u, of a lever IU, (see Fig. 6). The lever o, then moves about its pivot fw, and thrusts inwardly a slide rod which carries a spring linger y. On the continued rotation of the pinion f, the end u, of the lever o, passes off the highest end s, of the cam s, (see Fig. 3) and under the action of a spring 9, the lever o, sharply withdraws the rod x, so that the spring finger y, lightly strokes the balance wheel n, and thereby imparts an impulse to it.

As shown in Fig. 4, the cam s, is mounted in spaced relation to the pinion f, so that when the clock descends and the pinion rotates in the direct-ion of arrow (5, Fig. 7, the

end u, of the lever, relatively speaking, passes behind the cani, as a space or passage is thereby formed for it. As it passes under the beveled end t, the latter being springwv yields to it.

I claim l. The combination with a falling clock having hour and minute indicating hands and a train of gear for driving same, of a driving pinion for said train and located at the rear thereof, a rack with which said pinion engages, an escapement and means for driving said pinion along said rack comprising a weight disposed symmetrically about said train of gear and a further weight disposed at the rear of said pinion toy bring the center of gravity in the plane of said pinion and rack.

2. rihe combination with a falling clock having hour and minute indicating hands and a train of gear for driving same, of a driving pinion for said train and located at the rear thereof, a rack with which said pinion engages, an escapement and means for driving said pinion along said rack comprising a weight disposed around said train of gear and a further weight disposed at the rear of said pinion and lixed to move with the casing, said weights and clockwork train being disposed so that their center of gravity is in the plane of the pinion and rack.

3. In combination, two vertical columns, one of which is provided with teeth, apinion located between said columns and engaging the teeth, a frame, a falling clockwork train including an escapementsupported in said frame and driven from said pinion, said frame and clockwork train being disposed in front of said vertical columns, guides for said pinion and train and co-acting with said vertical columns, a weight arranged around the clockwork train, supporting studs carried by said clockwork frame, and projecting rearwardly behind said vertical columns and a weight carried by said supporting studs.

4. In combination a vertical rack, a driving pinion engaging therewith, a clockwork train coupled to said driving pinion, an escapement mechanism for said clockwork train, a weight iixed to said clockwork to drive said pinion down said rack and means actuated by the rotation of the pinion when raising said clockwork and weight for starting said escapement.

In combination a vertical rack, a driving pinion engaging therewith, a falling clockwork train coupled to said driving pinion, an escapement mechanism for said clockwork train, a weight fixed to said clockwork to drive said pinion down said rack and means actuated by the rotation of the pinion when raising said clockwork and weight for starting said escapement, comprising a inger, and means operable by the pinion Jfor actuating said finger in relation to said escapement.

6. In combination a vertical rack, a driving pinion engaging therewith, a falling clockwork train coupled to said driving pinion, an escapement mechanism for said clockwork train, a weight fixed to said clockwork to drive said pinion down said rack and means actuated by the rotation of the pinion when raising said clockwork and weight for starting said escapement, comprising a finger, means operable by the pinion for moving said finger in one direction, and automatic means for moving it quickly in the opposite direction to engage said escapement with a sharp impact.

7. In combination a vertical rack, a driving pinion engaging therewith, a falling clockwork train coupled to said driving pinion, an escapement mechanism for said clockwork train, a weight fixed to said clockwork to drive said pinion down said rack and means actuated by the rotation of the pinion when raising said clockwork and weight for starting said escapement, comprising a pawl in close relation to the escapement wheel a spring pressed pivoted lever carrying said pawl, means for oscillating said lever and for causing it to bring its pawl into engagement with the escapement wheel, said means being operable by the pinion and only when the pinion rotates in one direction, substantially as hereinbefore set fort-h.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHAIMSONOVITZ PROSPER ELIESON.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK ERNEST SQUIRE, BERTRAM CLARK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of )atenta Washington, D. C. 

